The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued an urgent warning to dog owners regarding chew toys imported from China, which have been linked to severe behavioral changes in pets. Known colloquially as “werewolf syndrome,” the toys have been reported to cause alarming symptoms in dogs, including aggression, panic attacks, spasms, howling, and even epileptic seizures, with some cases resulting in death.
The warning follows growing concerns across Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, where most cases of dogs exhibiting these troubling behaviors have been reported. The FSA has clarified that, while there is no confirmed distribution of these affected products in the UK, dog owners should exercise caution, as some may have purchased these toys from international online sellers.
Tina Potter, the FSA’s head of incidents, emphasized that while no unsafe chews have been identified in the UK, owners should refrain from feeding their dogs these products as a preventive measure. “There is no evidence to suggest these products pose a risk to human health,” she added.
Authorities continue to investigate the source of the issue, and dog owners are urged to remain vigilant and consult veterinarians if they notice unusual behavior in their pets.